Tucson Speaks out: July 6 letters of the day

Joe Biden should step aside

President Joe Biden is an honorable and patriotic American of outstanding moral character and strength, long serving this country faithfully and well. He has endured with love, dignity, and determination through tremendous personal suffering — the loss of his first wife and daughter in a car crash, the loss of his eldest son to cancer resulting from military service to our country, and the devastation of the disease of addiction that afflicted his remaining son with consequences wreaking havoc for their family. He has given his life to faithful public service, fearlessly standing up to dictators and despots. The strength of his moral fiber is now being tested one more time. In order to continue to serve his country faithfully and well, he must step aside from the most powerful and prestigious position in the world. He must withdraw from seeking re-election and resign from the presidency. I hope he is up to this challenge. Not only his legacy but, much more importantly, our nation’s future depends upon it.

Amelia Craig Cramer

Downtown

Sleepy Joe

Now we got a situation. I have been so displeased with Trump’s rooters for making excuses for his lunatic behavior that I thought the Democrats would never stoop that low with Biden. I was wrong! After that performance of his in the debate, which showed him weak, confused and pathetic, with plenty of blank stares thrown in. His aides and supporters are doing the same thing, saying, “You can’t judge him on one performance,” and “He can still win.” False.

I’m sorry, but President Biden looks every bit the loser, but his enablers feed his huge vanity and tell him he should not drop out. They are all losers. And so are we if someone doesn’t poke the bubble that is Biden’s ego.

Now it is the Barbarian versus the Zombie. I say, stay in bed Joe. We need a better chance to win.

Ron Lancaster

North side

If you worry the Democrats made a bad choice

There has been a lot of angst over the Democrats possibly making a bad choice for a Presidential nominee. However, Democrats are not the party that offers a candidate whose fake charity and fake university ended up being shut down.

This same candidate has a business that has been found guilty on multiple fraud counts and whose CFO is in jail. He has been found liable for sexual assault, charged under the Espionage Act for harboring highly classified documents, charged under RICO for a dozen felonies in Georgia, and found guilty by a jury for over 30 felony counts relating to election interference. He had one lawyer put in prison and another just lost his law license. Is this really what we want leading this country?

Mary Zimmerman

SaddleBrooke

First POTUS above the law

Before 2016, we had 44 Presidents representing the U.S.A. Some were good, some were bad, some were both good and bad, many were mediocre. Yet, not one ever expressed the need for immunity from criminal prosecution. Then, in 2016, the Electoral College appointed a convicted swindler and tax evader, who had just lost the election, to be our next president.

Now, the SCOTUS has declared that the POTUS is above the law in at least some cases. If Mr. Trump were to be elected, he would assume more power than any other president in our long history. If he doesn’t become the dictator he claims he will be, it will be because of patriotic Americans voting against him … that or his own incompetence.

Floyd Newsom

Northwest side

Democracy or dictatorship?

Regardless of one's opinion on President Biden, voting for Democratic candidates is crucial to safeguard our democracy from authoritarianism. The stakes are high, and the consequences could be dire.

Biden has worked to restore the rule of law, strengthen voting rights through the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, and combat misinformation by promoting accurate information and media literacy.

In contrast, Trump's efforts to undermine the electoral process, his attempts to repeal the ACA, and rolling back environmental protections threaten our democracy and public health. His policies could leave millions without necessary medical care and harm efforts to combat climate change.

Voting Democratic isn't just about party support; it's about defending democracy and ensuring a government that serves all citizens. The upcoming elections are crucial. Vote Democrat up and down the ballot to protect our democracy and future.

Melinda Rogers

Northeast side

Constitution and presidential immunity?

Given that the current "originalist" or "strict constructionist" justices on the Supreme Court are convinced of their ability to infer the intent of the writers of our Constitution, I would be interested to know on what basis they may have inferred an intent, 267 years ago, of presidential immunity.

Gerard Ervin

Northeast side

SCOTUS ruling on Trump immunity

I have read the majority and dissenting opinions on the Trump immunity case. The majority opinion citing separation of powers, ruled that former President Trump was immune from prosecution for any act that was performed in his official capacity to include an “Outer Perimeter of his official responsibilities.” Separation of powers doesn’t grant immunity to any branch but rather sets duties and limits on the scope of the authority for each branch. Their argument that immunity protects each branch from bringing criminal charges against the others falls short. Why? “Special prosecutors” are appointed to ensure a fair and objective investigation. Overturning the election was planned in secrecy, led by Trump that included “fake electors.” SCOTUS giving absolute immunity based on their failed logic is dangerous. I quote Justice Jackson, “In its purest form, the concept of immunity boils down to a maxim — “‘[t]he King can do no wrong’” — a notion that was firmly “rejected at the birth of [our] Republic.” This decision by SCOTUS further divides our nation.

Richard Harper

Northeast side

President Biden and the future

I love President Joseph Robinette Biden. He is an honest and caring person who works hard for people every day. We as a Nation are much better off than we were, and we would be if a lying, insurrectionist candidate is elected again. That said, I have felt for some time that the best person to take over if President Biden chooses to step aside is Kamala Harris. The Democratic party has to realize that opening up the convention or trying to choose someone other than our esteemed Vice-President would be a recipe for disaster. One scenario that could help Kamala Harris beat the other candidate is for her to assume the mantle of power now and go into the election with a leg up. She is tough, strong, passionate, and prepared for the job. The only disadvantage to this scenario is that she would have to nominate a vice president who would have to be approved by both the House and Senate. Let's go, Joe or Kamala!

James Robinett

Southwest side

Thank you President Biden

When called, Joe Biden came to the country's rescue and was duly elected President of the United States and we will be forever grateful. My concern is not that he is 81 years old rather he will be 85 at the end of a second term. Because he cares about this country so much caring the weight of the presidency for another four years could be more than he can physically or mentally endure. Additionally, a large number of the electorate does not want to vote for someone in their 70's or 80's. America is calling on Joe Biden again. This time to make a sacrifice and step aside. Mr. President you will always be remembered as the one who saved us from Mr. Trump ... save us again. Enjoy your place in history and let someone else take it from here.

David Berryhill

Sahuarita

Some simple truths about the Biden issue

There are a few simple truths about replacing Biden as the nominee that seem to have gotten lost. First, everyone who up until now has committed themselves to voting Biden-Harris has implicitly accepted the possibility of a Harris presidency — even if Vice President Harris wouldn't be everyone's first choice in other circumstances. Second, putting Harris at the top of the ticket now spares the Democratic Party having to elevate her later if a Biden-Harris ticket were to win in November but President Biden demonstrated significant ongoing cognitive decline. Finally, asking the American People to support a Biden-Harris ticket at this point is a tremendous ask — and if/when that ticket falls short in November, the loss of support for the Party nationally could be historic.

Brooke Bedrick

North side

A more sensitive analysis of the debate

I think it’s not easy to debate someone whose arguments are all non-sequitur lies ... especially if that actual debater has had a long history of stuttering and a sore throat. Trump also refused to answer a lot of debate questions ... thus spoiling any “debate” and replacing it with lying meaningless rants ... his usual go-to chaos. I also think Biden made a bunch of valid points about his record as well as those problems he wants to help solve to help Americans today. Biden’s delivery was less than optimal, but I think the Dems have totally overreacted. They should focus mostly on what he said…not the delivery. Trump failed. He mentioned no plans for America other than revenge stuff. All he is is a sexual predator, a pathological liar, an incredibly stupid being, and a consummate loser. He knows he’s never won an election. Even Hillary had 3 million more votes! I would vote for Biden over Trump ... even if Biden were comatose… or dead.

Sue Thompson, M.D. (retired)

SaddleBrooke

Don't vote based on accusations

Re: the July 3 letter "Jette's actions speak louder than words."

The letter writer makes loaded accusations about Mike Jette supposedly making contributions to Republican candidates and organizations, but he offers no evidence. Mr. Jette denies that these things ever happened. The election of the Pima County Attorney is a serious and important matter and should be based on facts alone, and not on prejudicial and unproven allegations.

Diana Kistler

Green Valley

Replace the Attorney General?

"Attorney General Kris Mayes informed law enforcement agencies that her office was taking portions of each department's Anti-Racketeering Revolving Funds to meet the needs of balancing the state budget."

"Governor Katie Hobbs' Office responded by calling Mayes' actions illegal and not based on all the facts." Mayes took $10 million from the General Anti-Racketeering Fund & transferred it into the states general fund." So why has Kris Mayes not been arrested for illegally transferring $10 million dollars? If anyone else illegally transferred $10 million dollars — they would be in trouble. Another example of 2 sets of laws 1 for you and 1 for the connected people. Why has Gov. Hobbs not transferred the $10 million back where it belongs?

Gary Erickson

Benson

Military policy

After studying Iraq, Afghanistan, and Vietnam wars one major complaint has been that there was no civilian coherent end state vision. My civilian end state vision is rationalized matching of international commitments to capabilities of commitment matched active-duty forces for day-to-day missions. Off-loading the heavy lifting to those inhabiting the regions under consideration. Reserves are to be used only in times of declared war, thus leaving citizen soldiers at home living in and serving their communities. In regard to Taiwan, policy would be constrained to active sailors, Marines and soldiers. Hong Kong might be a pattern to consider, constrained by commitment to not pulling civilians into fights over rocks in the Pacific and oceans in the Far East. We are obligated to our sailors, soldiers, and Marines to develop sustainable long-term policies that the people of America are willing to commit themselves through the long term.

Gordon Shaw

Vail

Biden spending trillions and inflation

Democrat letters to the Star have stated that Biden did not cause the 40-year inflation high experienced during his Presidential term. In March 2021 he signed into law the American Rescue Plan infusing $1.9 trillion into the economy. In November 2021, he signed into law the Infrastructure Act infusing $1.2 trillion into the economy. Then in August 2022 he signed the Inflation Reduction Act that infused $783 billion into the economy. But of course none of these trillions injected into the economy so quickly had any effect on inflation? That is called having a willing suspension of disbelief. Add to all this, Biden attempted to do his Build Back Better deal, which the Congressional Budget Office estimated would add $6 trillion to the federal deficit if included federal programs did not sunset, which they never do. As to Trump inheriting a great economy from Obama, in the 4th quarter of 2016 (last under Obama), the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was a dismal 1.9%.

Martin Wagman

Green Valley